B.C. records 14 new cases of COVID-19, up to 1,575

The Interior Health Authority has identified the positive COVID-19 test of a staff member at a care home in Cranbrook, and another outbreak protocol is in effect at an acute-care unit at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge.

B.C. recorded 14 more COVID-19 positive tests April 16, for a total of 1,575 cases since the novel coronavirus pandemic began.

There were three additional deaths related to COVID-19, for a total of 78 that have mostly been a result of infections in the 26 long-term care homes currently affected.

The B.C. health ministry issued a statement on the latest cases, as it prepares to release its latest modelling on the progress of slowing the novel coronavirus pandemic. One of the updates was on the Mission federal prison where a cluster of cases is being dealt with.

“Federal officials have announced 61 cases of COVID-19 at the Mission Institution federal correctional centre,” the ministry reported. “Fraser Health officials continue to work with Correction Services Canada to manage this outbreak. There has been one death related to this outbreak. The BC Coroners Service is investigating as is standard process.”

With another cluster of cases in a group of temporary foreign workers at a nursery in West Kelowna, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a new emergency order to require agricultural employers to establish and maintain infection control plans. Municipal bylaw enforcement officers have been authorized to review the plans and measures at agricultural work sites, where workers arriving from Mexico and other countries are required to self-isolate for 14 days before going to work.